Liverpool’s defensive frailties, Wayne Rooney’s nous in both boxes, an unwanted headache for Paul Clement and Manchester United’s unsung heroes The excellence of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic will attract most attention, but equally crucial was went on around them. Because José Mourinho omitted Ander Herrera – completely unnecessary against opposition likely to sit deep – he could pick an extra attacker, and whether that was Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Marcus Rashford, the…

For Manchester United, it is difficult to see how their first game of the new season could have gone much better other than perhaps another goal or two to polish up their superiority. As it was, they shouldn’t be too greedy. Romelu Lukaku has wasted little time demonstrating why he became the club’s most expensive summer recruit and, on this evidence, it is shaping up to be a season of rich promise for José≈ Mourinho’s…

Romelu Lukaku scored twice on his league debut for United, who produced a very confident statement of intent by battering West Ham 6.11pm BST And here’s Daniel Taylor’s match report from Old Trafford . Related: Romelu Lukaku gives Manchester United dream start against West Ham 5.50pm BST Peep peep! That was a very confident statement of intent from United. Matic was good, Lukaku scored twice, and there were patches when United played with devastating speed…

West Ham have brought in plenty of experience – and it could be the start of something, says Joe Hart, as he seeks to play at ‘the highest standard possible’ A dab of make-up cannot conceal the black eye Joe Hart is sporting as he walks into West Ham United’s press room and the topic is swiftly raised: have pre-season preparations at Rush Green taken an unsavoury turn? “Yeah, …

The long squint over the running track could be a more rewarding one for West Ham fans this season after some encouraging summer transfer activity Star man: The Hammers have a rich heritage when it comes to discovering Argentinian talent, from Carlos Tevez to Jonathan Calleri, and Manuel Lanzini’s joyful performances after Dimitri Payet buggered off to Marseille in January cemented him as a firm crowd favourite. The cherubic 24-year-old finished last …

Slaven Bilic’s side will hope for a smoother second season at the London Stadium but with a shift in transfer policy and doubts over the manager’s tactics and future it is hard to detect a clear plan at the club Guardian writers’ predicted position 10th (NB: this is not necessarily Jacob Steinberg’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position 11th Continue reading…

• Striker to make West Ham debut at former home Old Trafford • Hernández won two Premier Leagues with Manchester United Javier Hernández will return to Old Trafford as a West Ham player on Sunday and says he feels “only happiness” towards the club that brought him to the Premier League seven years ago. The Mexico forward expects to make his competitive debut for Slaven Bilic’s side at the stadium he called home for…

Fans have their say on key players, weak leaks and summer spending – and make their predictions for the season ahead • Part one: Arsenal to Liverpool Related: Transfer window 2017 – every deal in Europe’s top five leagues Related: Premier League 2017-18 fans’ previews, part 1: Arsenal to Liverpool Related: Premier League 2017-18 fans’ previews, part 1: Arsenal to Liverpool Continue reading…

• Gareth Bale’s agent dismisses reports Wales forward could leave Real Madrid • Chelsea ‘make enquiry’ for Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Spain Under-21 midfielder Mikel Merino on a season-long loan from Borussia Dortmund. Merino, who began his career at local side Osasuna before moving to Germany last summer and made nine appearances for Dortmund in his debut campaign, becomes the fifth new arrival at St James Park…

The club are celebrating ‘a great transfer window’, but Joe Hart, Javier Hernández and Marko Arnautovic may turn out to be sticking plasters in lieu of a real plan West Ham United are feeling very pleased with themselves at the moment. Relieved, too. After making a spectacular show of themselves in the transfer market last summer, when they started out with hopes of luring Alexandre Lacazette to east London and ended up convincing themselves that Simone Zaza …

Today’s fluff has got the skills to pay the bills Welcome to the Rumour Mill on a day when Real Madrid could complete a £161m deal for Kylian Mbappé – a player who has, to date, scored 16 league goals. They once got Ferenc Puskás for free. Anyway, this is where we are, although Real’s hopes of doing irreparable damage to the space-time continuum might be scuppered by Manchester City , who are preparing a £143…

• Former Manchester United striker signs three-year deal • Federico Bernardeschi moves to Juventus from Fiorentina West Ham have completed the signing of Javier Hernández from Bayer Leverkusen for £16m. The 29-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker has signed a three-year contract with the Hammers. Related: Transfer window 2017 – every deal in Europe’s top five leagues Related: Manchester City sign £52m Benjamin Mendy to take spending over

• Austrian international signs five-year contract • Arnautovic: ‘I can only say it is a massive club’ West Ham have announced the signing of Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City on a five-year deal for a club-record fee believed to be around £24m. The 28-year-old had been agitating for a move and after rejecting two earlier bids Stoke finally relented. Arnautovic will bolster the Hammers’ squad following the addition of Pablo Zabaleta and …

• ‘Chicharito’ will join for fee believed to be £13m • Striker will fly to London to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical West Ham United have agreed a deal with Bayer Leverkusen to sign the former Manchester United striker Javier Hernández. The Hammers have confirmed the 29-year-old Mexican will arrive in London in the next few days to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical. Related: …

• Goalkeeper keen to secure regular football ahead of World Cup • Hart spent last season at Torino after losing No1 slot at City Joe Hart has joined West Ham from Manchester City on a season-long loan after completing a medical at the London club. The England No1 spent last season on loan at Torino after losing his starting place at City and Pep Guardiola has signed the Benfica goalkeeper Ederson …

A club-by-club guide to the rising stars who could make a mark in 2017-18, including Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson and West Brom’s Sam Field The 17-year-old was trending on Twitter last Thursday morning during his first appearance for Arsène Wenger’s first team – against Sydney FC – and it was because his pace, power and trickery are always going to be popular. The attacking midfielder played in an unfamiliar right wing-back role but there were…